IT'S TIME TO STAND UP FOR WOMEN AND FAMILIES

Real investment in family planning will improve maternal and child survival, ease pressure on the environment, and increase social stability in the developing world.

In the last decade, U.S. funding for international family planning programs has declined by 30%. At the same time, the number of women in the developing world has grown dramatically.

Real investment in family planning will save the lives of women and children and improve quality of life for everyone.

Every year, hundreds of thousands of women die of pregnancy related causes worldwide and many more suffer serious injuries. Nearly all of these deaths and injuries are preventable. In fact, nearly half of all maternal deaths and a significant proportion of infant deaths could be averted by universal access to contraceptives

Real investment in family planning will protect the environment and relieve pressure on natural resources.

Continuing population growth in the developing world is a major contributor to environmental degradation. These environmental stresses mean that many areas of the world lack the food and water resources necessary to sustain their growing populations. The end results are resource depletion, environmental degradation and malnutrition.

Real investment in family planning will encourage social stability and decrease conflict.

Resource scarcity and other population pressures stress fragile governments and social structures. Countries without the means to feed, house, educate and employ their citizens are at risk of civil insecurity.

These and other global problems cannot be solved unless we as a nation commit to doing our part to meet the unmet need for family planning around the globe. Real investment in family planning is not merely a moral imperative, but also a sound investment in the future of our world.

Add your name to the list of people who want to stand up for access to family planning, and for the millions of women and families around the world.